How to evict a minor and keep the parent?

Real Estate Agent from Lawrenceburg, Indiana

posted about 1 year ago

I have been a landlord for quite a while but this is a new on for me.

The Situation: A father and his 17 year old son live in one of my apartments. Their one year lease recently expired and they are on month-to-month. The son was listed on the 1-year lease. The son has broken windows, keeps the tenants up all night, throws garage everywhere, etc. I have told the father the son needs to leave in the past and he got him out for a while. He is back once again and is disturbing the other tenants. This time, I want to kick him out with official documentation. The father wants to stay and he is a good tenant that just happens to have a problem child. Given the discussions I have had with him, I think he will honor keeping the child away going forward.

Question: What is the proper documentation process for this? Should I give a 30 day notice to end their tenancy and then sign a new lease with only the father listed on the lease? Any other thoughts?

Rental Property Investor from Columbia Maryland and Tampa Florida

replied about 1 year ago

Yeah, you will need to just get rid of both of them. Unfortunately, the father has to pay for his child's actions, and since he can't seem to keep him away (no paperwork can truly stop people's choices, I don't see him not allowing his son over, which turns into living there again).

I know it sucks to be the "bad guy" but this isn't your fault.

If the son turns 18 while still around, you get him to sign his name to the lease the very second he turns 18. Happy birthday. Then, continue with evicting/giving notice to vacate.

from Walnut Creek, California

Real Estate Agent from Lawrenceburg, Indiana

replied about 1 year ago

@Thomas S. Thanks for the response. You are right. The father seems like a nice man and I was sympathetic to his situation. He is not going to let his kid sleep outside and, because of his behavior, the son is out of places to go. Usually I am stone cold business but for some reason I was soft on this one. Thanks for talking some sense into me.